Insecticide sprayer and nozzle assembly

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a fluid sprayer includes supplying a first fluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and a barrier repellant to a nozzle assembly at a first regulated pressure. The method further includes changing the first regulated pressure to a second regulated pressure different than the first regulated pressure. The method further includes supplying a second fluid selected from the group to the nozzle assembly at the second regulated pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/681,019 filed on Aug. 18, 2017, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/515,888 filed on Jun. 6,2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/414,119 filed on Oct.28, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/409,745 filed onOct. 18, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/382,995filed on Sep. 2, 2016, the entire contents of all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sprayers, and more particularly tonozzle assemblies used in insecticide sprayers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insecticide sprayers are commonly mounted for transportation on avehicle through a mosquito-infested region. Such sprayers atomize liquidinsecticide for dispersal throughout the mosquito-infested region as thevehicle upon which the sprayer is mounted drives through the region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a fluid sprayer includinga tank containing fluid therein and a nozzle assembly in communicationwith the tank to receive fluid therefrom and to atomize the fluid. Thefluid sprayer also includes a blower assembly positioned upstream of thenozzle assembly for dispersing the atomized fluid from the nozzleassembly into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer and a dischargechute positioned downstream of the blower assembly into which theatomized fluid from the nozzle assembly is sprayed before beingdischarged upward and into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a method of operatinga fluid sprayer. An airflow is generated through a discharge chute. Afluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and abarrier repellent is pumped from a tank to a nozzle assembly. The fluidis atomized with the nozzle assembly. The atomized fluid is dischargedinto the discharge chute along a discharge axis oriented substantiallyperpendicular to a direction of the airflow exiting the discharge chute.The atomized fluid is sprayed from the discharge chute upward and intothe surroundings of the fluid sprayer.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a nozzle assembly foruse with a fluid sprayer. The nozzle assembly includes a manifoldconnectable with a source of fluid and supportable by a discharge chuteof the fluid sprayer and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communicationwith the manifold to receive fluid therefrom. Each of the nozzles has adischarge axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction ofairflow exiting the discharge chute.

The present invention provides, in a further aspect, a fluid sprayerincluding a tank containing fluid therein and a nozzle assembly incommunication with the tank to receive fluid therefrom. The nozzleassembly is operable to atomize the fluid. The fluid sprayer furtherincludes a blower assembly positioned upstream of the nozzle assemblyfor dispersing the atomized fluid from the nozzle assembly into thesurroundings of the fluid sprayer. An adjustable valve is positionedbetween the nozzle assembly and the tank to regulate the pressure offluid supplied to the nozzle assembly. A controller is operable to varythe regulated fluid pressure by adjusting the valve in response to aspeed at which the fluid sprayer is transported.

The present invention provides, in a another aspect, a method ofoperating a fluid sprayer including supplying a first fluid selectedfrom a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and a barrierrepellant to a nozzle assembly at a first regulated pressure. The firstregulated pressure is changed to a second regulated pressure differentthan the first regulated pressure. A second fluid selected from thegroup is provided to the nozzle assembly at the second regulatedpressure.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a fluid sprayerincluding a tank containing fluid therein, a manifold in communicationwith the tank to receive fluid therefrom, and a blower assemblypositioned upstream of the manifold for dispersing the fluid dischargedfrom the manifold into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer. A firstplurality of nozzles are connectable with the manifold to receive fluidtherefrom and to discharge fluid from the manifold at a first volumetricflow rate. A second plurality of nozzles are connectable with themanifold to receive fluid therefrom and to discharge fluid from themanifold at a second volumetric flow rate different than the firstvolumetric flow rate. The first and second plurality of nozzles areinterchangeable with the manifold to convert the fluid sprayer for usewith a first fluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide,adulticide, and a barrier repellant and a second fluid selected from thegroup.

The present invention provides, in a further aspect, a method ofoperating a fluid sprayer including dispersing a first fluid selectedfrom a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and a barrierrepellant from the fluid sprayer with a first nozzle assembly at a firstvolumetric flow rate, replacing the first nozzle assembly with a secondnozzle assembly, and dispersing a second fluid selected from the groupfrom the fluid sprayer with the second nozzle assembly at a secondvolumetric flow rate different than the first volumetric flow rate.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a fluid sprayerincluding a tank containing fluid therein, a manifold in communicationwith the tank to receive fluid therefrom, and a blower assemblypositioned upstream of the manifold for dispersing the fluid dischargedfrom the manifold into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer. A firstplurality of nozzles are connectable with the manifold to receive fluidtherefrom and are operable to discharge fluid from the manifold with afirst spray pattern. A second plurality of nozzles are connectable withthe manifold to receive fluid therefrom and are operable to dischargefluid from the manifold with a second spray pattern different than thefirst spray pattern. The first and second plurality of nozzles areinterchangeable with the manifold to convert the fluid sprayer for usewith a first fluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide,adulticide, and a barrier repellant and a second fluid selected from thegroup.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a method ofoperating a fluid sprayer including dispersing a first fluid selectedfrom a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and a barrierrepellant from the fluid sprayer with a first nozzle assembly having afirst spray pattern, replacing the first nozzle assembly with a secondnozzle assembly, and dispersing a second fluid selected from the groupfrom the fluid sprayer with the second nozzle assembly having a secondspray pattern different than the first spray pattern.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a method ofoperating a fluid sprayer including generating an airflow through adischarge chute, pumping a first fluid selected from a group consistingof larvicide, adulticide, and a barrier repellent from a fluid tank to anozzle assembly, atomizing the first fluid with the nozzle assembly,discharging the atomized first fluid into the discharge chute, sprayingthe atomized first fluid from the discharge chute upward and into thesurroundings of the fluid sprayer, disconnecting the fluid tank from apump, connecting a flush tank to the pump, and pumping a second fluidselected from a group consisting of water and a cleaning solution fromthe flush tank to the nozzle assembly.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a fluid sprayerincluding a tank containing fluid therein, and a rotary atomizer incommunication with the tank to receive fluid therefrom and to atomizethe fluid. The rotary atomizer includes a housing in fluid communicationwith the tank to receive fluid therefrom, a shaft supported by thehousing for rotation about an axis, and a hub coupled to the shaft forco-rotation therewith, the hub including a plurality of aperturesextending away from the axis from which atomized fluid is discharged.The fluid sprayer further includes a blower assembly positioned upstreamof the nozzle assembly for dispersing the atomized fluid from the nozzleassembly into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer, and a dischargechute positioned downstream of the blower assembly into which theatomized fluid from the nozzle assembly is sprayed before beingdischarged into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a pesticidedistribution unit including a tank containing granular pesticidetherein, an auger in communication with the tank to receive granularpesticide therefrom, a blower assembly positioned upstream of the augerfor dispersing the granular pesticide from the auger into thesurroundings of the pesticide distribution unit, and a discharge chutepositioned downstream of the blower assembly into which the granularpesticide is introduced before being discharged into the surroundings ofthe pesticide distribution unit.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a pesticidedistribution unit including a tank containing a liquid pesticidetherein, the liquid pesticide selected from a group consisting of aliquid larvicide, a liquid adulticide, and a liquid barrier repellant, anozzle assembly in communication with the tank to receive the liquidpesticide therefrom and to atomize the liquid pesticide, a containercontaining a granular pesticide therein, the granular pesticide selectedfrom a group consisting of a granular larvicide, a granular adulticide,and a granular barrier repellant, an auger in communication with thecontainer to receive the granular pesticide therefrom, a blower assemblypositioned upstream of the nozzle assembly and the auger for dispersingthe atomized liquid pesticide and/or the granular pesticide from theauger into the surroundings of the pesticide distribution unit, and adischarge chute positioned downstream of the blower assembly into whichthe liquid pesticide and/or granular pesticide is introduced beforebeing discharged into the surroundings of the pesticide distributionunit.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent byconsideration of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side view of a fluid sprayer in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fluid sprayer of FIG. 1 mounted on atruck bed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a nozzle assembly of the fluid sprayerof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an alternative configuration of a nozzleassembly for use with the fluid sprayer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a partial cutaway side view of the fluid sprayer of FIG. 1illustrating a wind thrust through the sprayer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of another alternative configuration of anozzle for use with the fluid sprayer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of yet another alternative configurationof a nozzle assembly for use with the fluid sprayer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a fluid sprayer in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a fluid sprayer in accordancewith yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a fluid sprayer in accordancewith a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a fluid sprayer including anengine and a flush system.

FIG. 11 illustrates a light ring of a fluid sprayer.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic representation of a fluid sprayerincluding a rotary atomizer.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic representation of a fluid sprayerincluding an alternative rotary atomizer.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic representation of a fluid sprayerincluding yet another rotary atomizer.

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic representation of a sprayer for granularpesticide.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through a rotary spray head assemblyfor use in the fluid sprayer of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a portion of the rotary spray head assembly ofFIG. 16, illustrating a partial cutaway of a porous sleeve of the rotaryspray head assembly.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the rotary sprayhead assembly shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view through another embodiment of a rotaryspray head assembly for use with the fluid sprayer of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a portion of the rotary spray head assembly ofFIG. 19, illustrating a partial cutaway of a porous sleeve of the rotaryspray head assembly.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the rotary sprayhead assembly shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the rotary sprayhead assembly shown in FIG. 20, taken along line 22-22 in FIG. 20.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a fluid sprayer 10 including a fluidstorage module 14 and a dispersion module 18 in fluid communication withthe fluid storage module 14 to receive fluid from the fluid storagemodule 14 and atomize the fluid. A pesticide, such as a liquidinsecticide (e.g., a larvicide or adulticide) or a barrier repellant(e.g., a chemical pest barrier), is held in at least one tank 26 of thefluid storage module 14 and atomized by a nozzle assembly 22 in thedispersion module 18. Each of the larvicide, adulticide, and barrierrepellant is sprayed at a different volumetric flow rate and pressure toachieve different droplet sizes measured a distance from the fluidsprayer 10. Alternatively, any of a number of different liquids may beheld in the tank 26 for subsequent atomization and dispersal by thenozzle assembly 22. With continued reference to FIG. 1, the dispersionmodule 18 also includes a blower assembly 30 positioned upstream of thenozzle assembly 22 for dispersing the atomized fluid from the nozzleassembly 22 into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer 10. Thedispersion module 18 further includes a discharge chute 38 to direct theflow of the atomized fluid from the fluid sprayer 10.

Both of the fluid storage module 14 and dispersion module 18 are fixedto a frame 42 that may be mounted in a truck bed 46, as shown in FIG. 2,for transport and when in use. As shown, the frame 42 includes a firstsub-frame 42A supporting the fluid storage module 14, a second sub-frameassembly 42B supporting the dispersion module 18, and a third sub-frameassembly 42C supporting the first two sub-frame assemblies 42A, 42B. Thethird sub-frame assembly 42C supports peripherals such as a water tank528, a battery 74, and a fuel tank 70, each of which will be describedin greater detail below. The frame 42 is comprised of steel rectangulartubing welded or otherwise fastened together. Specifically, the firstsub-frame assembly 42A may be permanently secured to the third sub-frameassembly (e.g., by welding) and the second sub-frame assembly 42B may bebolted to the third sub-frame assembly 42C such that the dispersionmodule 18 is removable from the truck bed 46 without removing the entireframe 42.

The blower assembly 30 includes an engine 50 (e.g., a gasoline or dieselengine) and a turbine 54 driven by the engine 50. Alternatively, theengine 50 may be replaced with a different power unit (e.g., an electricmotor). The turbine 54 includes fan blades affixed to a central hub, towhich an output shaft 58 of the engine 50 is coupled. As the engine 50drives the turbine 54, the fan blades rotate, producing a wind thrusthaving a speed of about 150 miles per hour or more. The turbine 54 islocated at an upstream end 62 of the discharge chute 38 such that thewind thrust provided by the turbine 54 traverses the length of thedischarge chute 38 from the upstream end 62 to a downstream end 66. Afuel tank 70 is mounted to the second sub-frame assembly 42B andsupplies the engine 50 with fuel. A battery 74 is also mounted to thesecond sub-frame assembly 42B and provides electrical power to a starterfor the engine 50 and additionally provides electrical power to apumping system 78, as described in greater detail below.

A rotational mechanism 52A, as shown in FIG. 2, includes at least onepulley 52C and a belt 52D wrapped around the pulley 52C and thedischarge chute 38. The belt 52D is positioned within a channel 38A inthe chute 38 to rotatably connect the pulley 52C to the chute 38. Therotational mechanism 52A is driven via an actuator, such as motor 52B.The motor 52B is activated by a controller (such as controller 264; FIG.7) to rotate the pulley 52C and the belt 52D to rotate the chute 38about axis A1 to angularly reorient the downstream end 66 of the chute38 relative to the upstream end 62, relative to the frame 42, orrelative to the bed 4 of the vehicle. The chute 38 is rotatable from afirst position to a second position within an angular range θ which is,for example, approximately 180 degrees, 240 degrees, 270 degrees, 300degrees, 330 degrees, or 360 degrees, centered about the vertical upwardorientation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The pumping system 78 includes a low-pressure supply line 82, pump 86,and a high-pressure supply line 90. The low-pressure supply line 82transfers the fluid from the fluid storage tank 26 to the pump 86. Asshown, the pump 86 is an electric diaphragm pump, though the pump 86 mayalternatively be a mechanical pump (e.g., a mechanical piston-pump)driven by the engine 50. The pump 86 pressurizes the fluid from thelow-pressure supply line 82 and transfers it to the high-pressure supplyline 90, which terminates at the nozzle assembly 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle assembly 22 is located within the chute38 between the upstream and downstream ends 62, 66. In the illustratedembodiment, the nozzle assembly 22 includes four nozzles 94, each ofwhich is fixed to a shared manifold 98 by an L-shaped pipe 102 (i.e.,forming a ninety degree angle). The manifold 98 is centrally locatedwithin the chute 38 and is supported within the chute 38 by radialsupport rods 106 extending between the manifold 98 and a sidewall 34 ofthe chute 38. The manifold 98 has a single inlet and one outlet for eachnozzle 94). The high-pressure supply line 90 provides pressurized fluidto the inlet of the manifold 98, which is subsequently dispersed throughthe four outlets, through the L-shaped pipes 102, and out the nozzles94. The fluid is atomized by the nozzles 94, entering the chute 38 andpropelled by the wind thrust from the blower assembly 30. The windthrust propels the atomized fluid from the downstream end 66 of thedischarge chute 38 and away from the fluid sprayer 10.

Traditional directed larviciding, where the atomized spray is directedto the desired target (e.g., body of water, roadside, etc.), isaccomplished by actuating the motor 52B to rotate the rotationalmechanism 52A and the chute 38 to direct the downstream end 66 of thechute 38 toward the target. Vertical or urban larviciding, operable tocreate a high-rising mist, is accomplished by actuating the motor 52Band the rotational mechanism 52A to orient the downstream end 66 of thechute 38 in the vertical or upward orientation.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment of the nozzle assembly22, the nozzles 94 may be “80 Series” nozzles used in mosquito sprayerapplications with an 80 degree fan (i.e., the flow from the nozzle exitsover an 80 degree angle). Further, the nozzles 94 may have a flow rateof, for example, 0.5 gallons per minute at 15 psi of pressure in themanifold 98, 0.4 gallons per minute at 25 psi of pressure, or 0.3gallons per minute at 35 psi of pressure to achieve a flow rate of about1.2 to 2.0 gallons per minute collectively from the nozzle assembly 22.The specific configuration of the nozzles 94 may be chosen based uponthe different fluids (e.g., larvicide, adulticide, etc.) dispensed bythe fluid sprayer 10. And, the nozzles 94 may be configured to emit adifferent spray pattern (e.g., a conical spray pattern), rather than afan pattern. Further still, the nozzle assembly 22 may be replaced witha rotary atomizer such as the rotary spray head assembly described inU.S. Pat. No. 9,027,851 and issued on May 12, 2015, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

The atomized fluid is discharged from each of the nozzles 94 along adischarge axis (shown by arrows 114) in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the direction of the wind thrust in thechute 38, as designated by arrow 118 (FIGS. 4A, 4B). In comparison to anozzle arrangement in which the atomized fluid is directed parallel ornear-parallel to the direction of wind thrust 118 (not shown), thenozzle assembly 22 shown in FIG. 3 yields atomized droplets of smallersize, thereby increasing the distance that the droplets may travel whendischarged from the chute 38 without increasing the velocity of air fromthe blower assembly 30.

For example, in an alternative configuration of the nozzle assembly inwhich the nozzles are oriented parallel or near-parallel to thedirection of wind thrust 118, droplet size of the atomized fluid may bea minimum of 400 microns. With the nozzle assembly 22 shown in FIG. 3,droplet size can be decreased to 300 microns when measured at a distanceof 30 feet from the fluid sprayer 10 and 150 microns at a distance of200 feet. Smaller droplets are carried further by the wind. So as thedroplet size decreases, the effective range of the fluid sprayer 10increases.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an alternative configuration of a nozzle assembly22A is shown, with like components being shown with like referencenumerals. In the nozzle assembly 22A, the L-shaped pipes 102 are rotatedrelative to the manifold 98 to redirect the output flow of the nozzles94. The chute 38 includes a 90-degree bend, redirecting the air stream(as shown by arrow 118) discharged from the turbine 54 from a horizontalstream to a vertical stream. The bend creates a high-velocity region inwhich the velocity of the air in the chute is greater compared to anadjacent low-velocity region. The high-velocity region is located alongan outer edge of the vertical portion of the chute 38, opposite thehorizontal portion of the chute 38. The velocity of air within the chute38 decreases along a gradient to the low-velocity region located withinthe vertical portion of the chute 38, opposite the high-velocity region.

To capitalize on the higher velocities of the wind thrust within thehigh-velocity region, the nozzles of the nozzle assembly 22A arereoriented to spray exclusively into the higher velocity region in adirection substantially perpendicular to the wind thrust 118 passing thenozzle assembly 22A (as illustrated by arrows 120). The higher speedsimpart a greater shear force on the atomized droplets discharged fromthe nozzles 94, further reducing their size and increasing the effectiverange of the fluid sprayer 10. Further, directing the nozzles 94exclusively toward the high-velocity region (and away from low-velocityregion) prevents droplets from accumulating on the sidewall 34 of thechute 38, which would exit the chute 38 as large droplets.

As shown in FIG. 5, another alternative configuration of a nozzleassembly 122 is shown, with like components being shown with likereference numerals. Rather than being located in the interior of thedischarge chute 38, the nozzle assembly 122 is positioned outside oralong a periphery of the exterior of the chute 38. Eight nozzles 94 areequally spaced about the periphery of the chute 38, fluidly connected toone another and to the pump 86 via T-pipes 126 and high-pressure lines90. Alternatively, fewer than eight nozzles 94 (seven, for example) maybe used in the nozzle assembly 122. The arrangement of T-pipes 126provides a circuitous path for the fluid in the high-pressure lines 90to reach all nozzles 94. The nozzles 94 extend through openings in thesidewall 34 of the chute 38 such that the atomized fluid (as illustratedby arrows 130) is introduced perpendicular to the wind thrust 118,affording at least the same benefits outlined with respect to thenozzles 94 shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the nozzles 94 may bedisposed outside the chute 38 adjacent the downstream end 66 of thechute 38. Further, because the nozzles 94 discharge the atomized fluidradially inward, the distance between the outlet of each of the nozzles94 and the sidewall 34 of the chute 38 is greatly increased (compared toeither of the nozzle assemblies 22, 22A), limiting the amount ofdroplets accumulating on the sidewall 34 of the chute 38.

As shown in FIG. 6, the nozzles 94 may be located at the outer peripheryof the chute 38, similar to the nozzles 94 shown in FIG. 5, and may bedirected towards the high-velocity region (or away from the low-velocityregion) similar to the nozzles 94 shown in FIG. 4A. The directional flowof fluid is illustrated by arrows 134.

As shown schematically in FIG. 7, a fluid sprayer 210 includes a fluidstorage tank 226, an apparatus for increasing fluid pressure such as apump 286, a blower assembly 254, a nozzle manifold 298, and a pluralityof nozzles 294A, 294B. Although only five of each of the nozzles 294A,294B are schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, the fluid sprayer 210 mayalternatively include more or fewer of each of the nozzles 294A, 294B(e.g., seven of each of the nozzles 294A, 294B). Further, althoughschematically shown elongated in a specific direction, this is not anindication of a particular orientation of the nozzles 294A, 294B. Thefluid sprayer 210 functions similarly to the fluid sprayer 10 shown inFIGS. 1-6, except as otherwise noted. Like elements are labeled withlike reference numerals incremented by 200.

An inlet of the pump 286 receives fluid (e.g., larvicide, adulticide,barrier repellant) from the storage tank 226 via the low-pressure line282. The pump 286 may be a high pressure, high volume pump run at aconstant speed to provide a constant pressure output. An outlet of thepump 286 discharges the fluid at a high pressure into a high-pressureline 290A, 290B. An adjustable pressure-regulating valve 260 is locatedwithin the high-pressure line 290A, 290B, dividing the high-pressureline into an upstream line 290A between the pump 286 and the adjustablevalve 260 and a downstream line 290B between the adjustable valve 260and the nozzle manifold 298. The adjustable valve 260 is operable toopen or close between a fully open position and a fully closed position,including a number of positions therebetween. Therefore, the valve 260is operable to supply fluid to the downstream line 290B and the manifold298 at a regulated (i.e., constant) pressure and volumetric flow rate. Areturn line 256 interconnects a return port of the valve 260 to the tank226 to return fluid not discharged to the downstream line 290B to thetank 226. Alternatively, the high-pressure line 290A, 290B may bedirectly connected to the manifold 298 and the valve 260 positioneddownstream of the manifold 298 to supply fluid to the manifold 298 at aregulated pressure and volumetric flow rate.

As shown, a controller 264 is in electrical communication with anelectrical actuator 260A of the valve 260 that, when actuated, variesthe position of the valve 260 to a desired open/closed percentage basedon input from a sensor 268. Such a controller 264 may be, for example,the SMARTFLOW II controller available from Clarke Mosquito Control Inc.of Roselle, Ill., United States of America. For example, the sensor 268may measure and relay a speed of the vehicle (FIG. 2) on which thesprayer 210 is located using GPS data. It may be desirable to increaseor decrease the regulated fluid pressure and/or the volumetric flow rateof the fluid to increase or decrease the amount of fluid sprayed by thenozzles 294A, 294B to account for an increasing or decreasing vehiclespeed, respectively. Alternatively, the sensor 268 may measure air speedfrom the blower assembly 230, droplet size from the nozzles 294A, 294B,and/or type of fluid within the high-pressure line 290A, 290B todetermine whether the fluid pressure within the downstream line 290Bshould be increased or decreased.

The controller 264 is in further electrical communication with theactuator 252B of the rotational mechanism (similar to rotationalmechanism 52A; FIG. 2). Therefore, the actuator 252B may rotate thechute 238 based on GPS data or based on user input from an operator(e.g., remotely or within the vehicle). The controller 264 may send asignal to the actuator 252B to rotate the chute 238, for example, whenswitching between directed larviciding and vertical larviciding, or whenthe target of directed larviciding is changed, or when the vehicle makesa turn.

From the manifold 298, the fluid is divided amongst the plurality ofnozzles 294A, 294B. As shown, the manifold 298 divides the flow from thesingle high-pressure line 290B to five valves 276. Each valve 276directs the high-pressure flow to either a first nozzle 294A or a secondnozzle 294B. The valves 276 may be two-position valves. In a firstposition, the valve 276 directs the fluid flow to the first nozzle 294A.In a second position, the valve 276 directs the fluid flow to the secondnozzle 294B. Alternatively, the valve 276 may be a three-position valveincluding the two positions mentioned above and further including athird position in which neither valve 294A, 294B receives the fluidflow. Utilizing a three-position valve for the valve 276 allows thenumber of nozzles 294A, 294B to be increased or decreased withoutphysically removing any of the nozzles 294A, 294B from the dischargechute 238. The number of nozzles may be greater or less than that shown.Also, the nozzles 294A, 294B may be oriented relative to a dischargechute 238 and an airstream 280 as shown in any of FIGS. 3-6. The firstnozzles 294A may differ from the second nozzles 294B in the spraypattern (e.g., cone, hollow cone, fan, etc.), orifice size, achievabledroplet size, shear capacity, pressure capacity, or volume capacity(e.g., 0.25 gallons per minute) to accommodate a different one ofadulticide, larvicide, or barrier repellant. For example, the nozzles294A, 294B may be ConeJet TX8, TX10, TX12, TXVK12, TXR80VK nozzles orthe like. Such nozzles 294A, 294B may be hollow cone nozzles made of anacetal-ceramic material, have a spray angle of 80 degrees, and operatewithin the range of 40 to 90 PSI. Additionally, the nozzles 294A, 294Bmay have a flow rate of 0.17, 0.19, 0.20, 0.22, 0.23, or 0.25 gallonsper minute or alternatively within the range of 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25,0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 gallons per minute.

In operation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, the tank 226 may be filledwith a first fluid such as a larvicide. The pump 286 (driven by a motor;not shown) draws the first fluid from the low-pressure line 282 into theupstream high-pressure line 290A. The adjustable valve 260 is actuatedby the controller 264 to a desired open/closed percentage dependent uponthe speed of the vehicle (FIG. 2) to allow more or less fluid from theupstream high-pressure line 290A to the downstream line 290B, therebymodifying the volumetric flow rate and regulated pressure of the fluidsupplied to the manifold 298. The fluid within the downstream line 290Breaches the manifold 298 where it is dispersed to the valves 276. Whenusing the first fluid, the valves 276 direct the fluid to the firstnozzles 294A. The position of the valves 276 may be automatically set bythe controller 264 (e.g., in response to a manual input from a user or asensor input to detect the type of fluid in the tank 226) or manuallyadjusted to direct the fluid to the first nozzles 294A. The blowerassembly 254 provides an airstream (indicated by arrows 280) into thedischarge chute 238 (e.g., at a speed of 100-150 miles per hour) inwhich the nozzles 294A, 294B are located. The airstream 280 carries theatomized fluid from the nozzles 294A away from the fluid sprayer system210 at a first volumetric flow rate, fluid pressure, and spray patternto achieve a desired volume median diameter (i.e., droplet size) anddispersed height for the first fluid. For example, it may be desired toachieve a droplet size of less than 120 microns such that the dropletsreach a height of 65-100 feet when sprayed upward by the sprayer 210, ora height equivalent to that achieved by aerial pesticide dispersionwithout necessitating the use of low-flying aircrafts.

Switching to a second fluid such as an adulticide or barrier repellantby replacing the first fluid within the tank 226, the pump 286 draws thesecond fluid into the high-pressure line 290A similar to the firstfluid. Likewise, the adjustable valve 260 allows the fluid through tothe manifold 298 and valves 276 similar to the first fluid. When usingthe second fluid, the valves 276 direct the fluid to the second nozzles294B. The blower assembly 254 provides the airstream 280 into thedischarge chute 238 to carry the atomized fluid from the nozzles 294Baway from the fluid sprayer system 210 at a second volumetric flow rate,fluid pressure, and spray pattern to achieve a desired volume mediandiameter and dispersed height for the second fluid. For example, it maybe desired to achieve a droplet size of less than 30-40 microns suchthat the droplets reach a height similar to that of the first fluid(e.g., 65-100 feet) to achieve similar dispersion to that of aerialpesticide applications.

Another fluid sprayer 310 is shown in FIG. 8 that is similar to thesprayer 210 except as otherwise described. Like elements are labeledwith like reference numerals incremented by 100 (i.e., relative to theembodiment shown in FIG. 7). Although only five of each of the nozzles394A, 394B are schematically illustrated in FIG. 8, the fluid sprayer310 may alternatively include more or fewer of each of the nozzles 394A,394B (e.g., seven of each of the nozzles 394A, 394B). In place of thetank 226 shown in FIG. 7, which could be emptied and refilled withdifferent liquids (e.g., insecticides or barrier repellants), the fluidsprayer 310 includes three separate tanks 326A, 326B, 326C. The firsttank 326A stores larvicide, the second tank 326B stores adulticide, andthe third tank 326C stores a barrier repellant. A valve 372 is locateddownstream of the tanks 326A, 326B, 326C and includes three potentialinlets and a single outlet to the low-pressure line 382 and pump 386. Ina first position, the valve 372 connects the first tank 326A (containinglarvicide) to the low-pressure line 382. In a second position, the valve372 connects the second tank 326B (containing adulticide) to thelow-pressure line 382. In a third position, the valve 372 connects thethird tank 326C (containing barrier repellant) to the low-pressure line382. The valve 372 may be actuated by a signal from the controller 364or may be manually actuated between the three positions. Alternatively,the valve 372 may be replaced by a coupling (e.g., a quick-disconnectcoupling) that is manually and alternately attachable to any one of thethree tanks 326A, 326B, 326C. In this manner, the fluid sprayer 310shown in FIG. 8 provides the capability of switching which fluid issupplied to the nozzles 394A, 394B without emptying and refilling atank.

Yet another fluid sprayer 410 is shown in FIG. 9 that is similar to thesprayers 210, 310 except as otherwise described. Like elements arelabeled with like reference numerals incremented by 100 (i.e., relativeto the embodiment shown in FIG. 8). Although only five of each of thenozzles 494A, 494B, 494C are schematically illustrated in FIG. 9, thefluid sprayer 410 may alternatively include more or fewer of each of thenozzles 494A, 494B, 494C (e.g., seven of each of the nozzles 494A, 494B,494C). In contrast to the fluid sprayer 310 shown in FIG. 8, the fluidsprayer 410 is not concurrently equipped with two sets of nozzles or theaccompanying valves to direct the flow to the desired set of nozzles.Instead, the sprayer 410 is provided with a first set 492A of removablenozzles 494A that are physically detachable from the manifold 498A, andreplaceable with a second set 492B of removable nozzles 494B. As notedabove, a rotary spray nozzle (not shown) may be attached to thedownstream line 490B in lieu of either of the first or second nozzlesets 492A, 492B.

Alternatively, the nozzles 494A may be permanently fixed to the manifold498A (thereby defining a manifold assembly 496A), and the manifoldassembly 496A may be removably coupled to the downstream high-pressureline 490B (e.g., using a quick-disconnect coupling). The manifoldassembly 496A may be physically disconnected from the high-pressure line490B and replaced with a second manifold assembly 496B including asecond manifold 498B fixed to and providing a fluid path to a third setof nozzles 494C. The nozzles 494C may differ from the nozzles 494A, 494Bin the spray pattern (e.g., cone, hollow cone, fan, etc.), orifice size,achievable droplet size, shear capacity, pressure capacity, orvolumetric flow rate to accommodate a different one of adulticide,larvicide, or barrier repellant.

Therefore, any of the sprayers 210, 310, 410 shown in FIGS. 7-9 can bequickly reconfigured for spraying different types of insecticides (e.g.,larvicides and adulticides) or barrier repellants, each of which must beapplied to an affected area with different droplet sizes to maximizeeffectiveness. In particular, different operating parameters of thesprayers 210, 310, 410 may be varied (e.g., regulated pressure orvolumetric flow rate of the fluid) to achieve desired droplet sizes ofthe sprayed fluid. Or, the number and/or types of nozzles used with thesprayers 210, 310, 410 may be quickly interchanged to vary otherparameters (e.g., spray pattern, volumetric flow rate, etc.) to achievedesired droplet sizes of the sprayed fluid. In sum, each of the sprayers210, 310, 410 is a “three-in-one” unit capable of applying effectiveamounts and droplet sizes of different types of insecticides (e.g.,larvicides and adulticides) or barrier repellants, replacing theseparate sprayers that are currently commercially available for applyingthese fluids.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a fluid sprayer 510.Like elements are labeled with like reference numerals incremented by300 (i.e., relative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7). As shown in FIG.10, a pressure sensor 516 is located within the chute 538 (e.g., at theelbow bend of the chute 538, between the upstream end 562 and thedownstream end 566, etc.). The pressure sensor 516 detects the pressurein the chute 538 and sends a corresponding signal to the controller 564which, in turn, monitors the detected pressure in the chute 538 (e.g.,0.5 PSIG, 1.0 PSIG, etc.). The pressure in the chute 538 is directlyproportional to the speed of the airflow created by the turbine 554exiting the chute 538. The chute 538, as shown in FIG. 10, is identicalto the chutes 238, 338, 438 shown in FIGS. 7-9, and is only modifiedschematically in FIG. 10 to illustrate a placement of the pressuresensor 516.

The engine 550 that drives the turbine 554 is additionally controlledvia the controller 564. The engine 550 is provided with a control input520 such as a choke solenoid and/or a remote start/stop switch. Thecontroller 564 is operable to send a signal to the control input 520 tostart, stop, adjust the choke, or adjust the rotational speed of theengine 550. For example, upon system start-up, the controller 564 mayactuate the control input 520 to choke the engine (if cold) and startthe engine 550. The controller 564 then analyzes the output of thepressure sensor 516 and determines whether the detected pressure in thechute 538 exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure. When the minimumpressure is achieved, the controller 564 activates the pump 586 to beginpumping the fluid to the nozzles 594 from the tank 526. The controller564 may continue monitoring readings from the pressure sensor 516 andprovide adjustments to outputs of the pump 586 or the engine 550 tocounteract any fluctuations, or shut down the pump 586 if the pressuredrops below the predetermined minimum value or a separate predeterminedvalue.

As shown in FIG. 10, the fluid sprayer 510 further includes a flushsystem 524 for cleaning the fluid sprayer 510. The flush system 524includes a flush tank 528, a supply line 532, and a control valve 536.The flush tank 528 is a fluid tank fixed to the third sub-frame assembly42C (FIG. 2) within the bed 46 of the vehicle and is sized to hold, forexample, seven gallons of water. The flush tank 528 may containalternative or additional fluids (e.g., cleaning solutions, etc.). Theflush tank 528 is removable from the frame 42 and is refillable. Thesupply line 532 extends from the tank 528 to the control valve 536. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10, the control valve 536 is athree-way, two-position valve 536 having dual inlet ports correspondingto the inlet lines 532, 540, respectively, and a single portcorresponding to an outlet line 544. The control valve 536 is adjustablebetween two positions: a first position in which the first inlet 540 isin fluid communication with the outlet 544 and a second position inwhich the second inlet 532 is in fluid communication with the outlet540. The control valve 536 is internally biased to the first position bya spring, for example. In the first position, the control valve 536directs insecticide from the tank 526 to the pump 586, which dischargesthe insecticide under pressure through the lines 582, 590 and nozzles594. In the second position, the control valve 536 directs water fromthe flush tank 528 to the pump 586, which discharges the water underpressure through the lines 582, 590 and nozzles 594. Therefore, thefluid sprayer 510 is capable of transitioning between sprayingpressurized insecticide and pressurized water through the nozzles 594.

An electrical actuator 536A of the control valve 536 may be controlledvia the controller 564 to switch the position of the control valve 536.For example, depressing a button on the controller 564 or within theoperator cabin or on a wireless device may transition the fluid sprayer510 from a mode of normal operation to a flush mode. In the flush mode,the controller 564 actuates (e.g., electrically) the control valve 536to switch from the first position to the second position, and hold thesecond position for a predetermined time (e.g., 90 seconds). During thispredetermined time, the pump 586 is provided with water from the flushtank 528 and supply line 532. The pump 586 discharges the pressurizedwater through the high-pressure line 590 and the nozzles 594, therebycleaning the pump 586, lines 582, 590, and nozzles 594. When thepredetermined time has passed, the controller 564 deactivates the pump586 and terminates a control signal to the valve 536, allowing the valve536 to return to the biased first position. During the flush mode, theengine 550 may optionally be operated to drive the turbine 554 andcreate the airflow through the chute 538, discharging a mist of dilutedinsecticide, which over time transitions to substantially water, fromthe chute 538.

As shown in FIG. 11, a light ring 138 may be fixed to or around thedownstream end 566 of the chute 538. The light ring 138 produces light,directed perpendicular to the circular cross-section of the chute 538and parallel with the outlet spray, as indicated by arrows 146. Asshown, the light ring 138 is composed of a plurality of individual LEDs142 in an LED string. The light ring 138 is utilized at night toilluminate the spray as it leaves the nozzles 594 and the chute 538.Therefore, the vehicle operator (and/or the operator of the fluidsprayer 510) is able to determine whether the insecticide is beingsprayed, which may indicate that the tank 526 is empty. Further,utilizing the light ring 138 at night allows the operator to monitor thespray to visually determine whether the fluid sprayer is providing anappropriate volume output. Therefore, an operator may be able toidentify if, for example, one or more of the nozzles 594 are blocked ormalfunctioning. Alternatively, the light ring 138 may not be circuitous,but may be formed of distinct and discontinuous light elements. Further,the light ring 138 may be mounted at an alternative location, such aswithin the chute 538 or at a position around the chute 538 and offsetfrom the downstream end 566. The light ring 138 may be manually switchedbetween an on state and an off state, either via a switch within the bedof the vehicle, or remotely (e.g., within the cab of the vehicle).Alternatively, the light ring 138 may automatically transition betweenthe on state and the off state in response to a change in brightness orlight intensity (e.g., via a photovoltaic sensor) as determined by thecontroller 564.

FIGS. 12-13 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a fluid sprayer 610.Like elements are labeled with like reference numerals incremented by100 (i.e., relative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10), except asotherwise described. As shown, the nozzle assembly 22 of the fluidsprayer 10 may be replaced with a rotary atomizer 622 such as a Pro-Mistrotary atomizer available from Clarke Mosquito Control Products, Inc. ofSt. Charles, Ill. or a Micronair AU4000, AU5000, AU7000, or AU6539rotary atomizer available from the Micron Group of Bromyard, England.The rotary atomizer 622 is located within the discharge chute 638 at oradjacent the downstream end 666 of the chute 638. The atomizer 622includes a central housing 624 and a plurality of fan blades 626. Asshown, the central housing 624 is generally cylindrical, and rotatesabout an axis 656 perpendicular to the circular cross-section of thehousing 624. This axis 656 may be parallel to or aligned with a centralaxis of the discharge chute 638, or more particularly, a central axis ofthe downstream end 666 of the discharge chute 638.

The central housing 624 includes an inlet 628A into which the fluid(e.g., a pesticide such as an adulticide, larvicide, barrier repellant,etc.) is fed from the fluid tank 648. The central housing 624 furtherincludes a plurality of outlets 630A, (or a single outlet 630B, as shownin FIG. 13) located about a periphery of the housing 624 for dischargingthe fluid from the housing 624. As shown, the outlets 630A, 630B (oranother location within the interior of the central housing 624) mayinclude a gauze or mesh to control the droplet size of the fluid throughthe outlets 630A, 630B. The fan blades 626 are mounted to the exteriorof the housing 624 at even intervals about the axis 656. For example,three blades 626 may be mounted at 120 degree intervals, four blades 626may be mounted at 90 degree intervals, or five blades 626 may be mountedat 72 degree intervals. The blades 626 are mounted to the housing 624 ata location upstream of the outlets 630A, 630B (i.e., between the blowerassembly 652 and the outlets 630A, 630B).

In operation, fluid is fed from the fluid tank 648 to the rotaryatomizer 622 at a rate dictated by and controlled by the adjustablevalve 660. The valve 660 may be controlled, as described above, via userinput, or in response to a controller 664, taking into account variousenvironmental and material factors (i.e., vehicle speed, desired dropletsize, desired spray range, material properties of the fluid, etc.).Concurrently, the blower assembly 652 generates an air stream throughthe chute 638 and out the downstream end 666 of the chute 638. As theair stream passes the rotary atomizer 622, the air stream impacts thefan blades 626, thereby rotating the housing 624. Fluid line outlets(not shown) within the housing 624 remain stationary, even when thehousing 624 rotates. The fluid line outlets disperse fluid from thevalve 660 into the housing 624. As the rotational velocity of the rotaryatomizer 622 increases, centrifugal forces acting on the fluid withinthe housing 624 of the atomizer 622 move the fluid through the outlets630A, 630B and into the airstream within the chute 638. The density ofthe mesh or gauze within the housing 624 of the atomizer 622, along withthe rotational velocity of the atomizer 622, and the volumetric rate ofthe fluid through the adjustable valve 660 control the overall dropletsize of the atomized fluid. The atomized fluid is expelled through thedownstream end 666 of the chute 638.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a fluid sprayer 710.Like elements are labeled with like reference numerals incremented by100 (i.e., relative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12), except asotherwise described. A rotary atomizer 722 may be powered by an electricmotor 726 to rotate the atomizer 722, replacing the fan blades 626 shownin FIGS. 12-13. The motor 726 is controllable (similar to the adjustablevalve 760) by user input or by a controller 764 to rotate the atomizer722 at various speeds and at various times to control when the fluid isexpelled from the atomizer 722 and the size of the droplets that areexpelled. Additional embodiments of rotary atomizers 1022, 1022 a areshown in FIGS. 16-22 and are explained in greater detail below.

The rotary atomizers 622, 722 shown in FIGS. 12-14 are removably mountedto the chute 638, 738 similar to the nozzle assemblies 22, 122, suchthat an operator is able to close off the supply line 690, 790 (e.g., atthe adjustable valve 660, 760) and remove one rotary atomizer 622, 722or nozzle assembly 22, 122, and replace it with another rotary atomizer622, 722 or nozzle assembly 22, 122. The mounting hardware may besimilar to allow a plug-and-play style replacement.

A user may replace an atomizer 622, 722 or nozzle assembly 22, 122 basedon the fluid used in that application, to modify the droplet size of thefluid, or to modify the controllability of the system. With reference toFIGS. 12-13, without modifying the air speed from the blower assembly652 or the flow rate of the fluid through the adjustable valve 660, therotational velocity of the atomizer 622, and therefore the droplet sizeof the fluid can be modified by changing the pitch, size, or shape ofthe fan blades 626 or by modifying the density of the mesh. Therefore,the user may replace one rotary atomizer 622 with another rotaryatomizer 622 to modify the droplet size. If the user desires additionalcontrollability, the user may replace the rotary atomizer 622 with therotary atomizer 722.

The fluid sprayers 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710 outlined above areadjustable to allow a user to replace the nozzle assemblies 22, 122 andatomizers 622, 722 when desired so that the system is capable of fourdifferent spraying functions: traditional larviciding, urbanlarviciding, adulticiding, and liquid barrier applications.

Traditional larviciding necessitates directed spraying of the fluid at,for example, rural roadside ditches or ponds to control the likelybreeding locations of the larvae. In contrast, urban larviciding isimpeded by fences and buildings that prevent controlled and directedspraying. Therefore, urban larviciding benefits from greater (e.g.,higher) displacement of the fluid, achieved via small droplet sizes sothat the wind is able to carry the droplets over fences and to areasthat are otherwise hidden and unreachable via traditional larviciding.

Liquid barrier applications require the fluid be atomized to a firstdroplet size (or range), adulticiding applications require a seconddroplet size (or range), less than the first droplet size, traditionallarviciding requires a third droplet size (or range; e.g., 100-200microns) less than the second droplet size, and urban larvicidingrequires a fourth droplet size (or range; e.g., 40-120 microns) lessthan the third droplet size. In order to accommodate the large range ofdroplet sizes required to facilitate all four types of applications, thefluid sprayers 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710 are reconfigurable toswitch out which nozzle assembly 22, 122 or rotary atomizer 622, 722 isin use.

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a sprayer 810. Likeelements are labeled with like reference numerals incremented by 100(i.e., relative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14), except as otherwisedescribed. The sprayer 810 is configured to expel granular pesticidesuch as granular larvicide, granular adulticide, and granular barrierrepellent. A granular container 826 is loadable by a user and isconfigured to store an amount of granular pesticide. A conveyancemechanism 828B is utilized to move the granular pesticide from thecontainer 826 to an auger 830. The conveyance mechanism 828B may be apump or an additional auger. Alternatively, though schematically shownbelow the discharge chute 838, the container 826 may be located at aheight above the chute 838 and the conveyance mechanism 828B may begravity. The auger 830 is rotated by a motor 832 to move the granularpesticide through an opening 834 and into the chute 838. Once within thechute 838, the air stream generated by the blower assembly 852discharges the granular pesticide out the downstream end 866 of thechute 838. Similar to the adjustable valve 260 (FIG. 7), the rotationalspeed of the motor 832, and therefore the auger 830, may be adjustableeither manually or using an electronic controller 864. As such, thevolumetric flow rate of the granular pesticide into the chute 838 can beadjusted. Alternatively (yet still similar to the adjustable valve 260),the rotational speed of the auger 830 may be controlled in response to aspeed of the vehicle to maintain a consistent spray coverage. Furtherstill, the auger 830 may be replaced with a valve, such as theadjustable valve 260.

The granular container 826, conveyance means 828B, auger 830, and motor832 of the sprayer 810 may be implemented on a fluid sprayer 10, 110,210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710 such that a single system is capable offive different spraying functions: traditional directed larviciding,vertically-oriented urban larviciding, adulticiding, granularpesticiding, and liquid barrier applications.

FIG. 16 of the drawings illustrates a rotary spray head assembly 1022,which is a rotary atomizer and may be used in the fluid sprayer 710 ofFIG. 14 in place of the rotary atomizer 722. Like the rotary atomizer722, the rotary spray head assembly 1022 would be in fluid communicationwith the tank 748 of FIG. 14 via the supply line 790 to receive fluidtherefrom and atomize the fluid. Further description regarding thestructure and operation of the fluid sprayer is contained below.

With reference to FIG. 16, the rotary spray head assembly 1022 includesa motor 1034 having an output shaft 1038 and a multi-piece housing 1042through which the output shaft 1038 at least partially extends. In theillustrated construction of the rotary spray head assembly 1022, themulti-piece housing 1042 includes a front housing portion 1044, anintermediate housing portion 1045, and a rear housing portion 1046 thatare attached to each other by fasteners (not shown). The front and rearhousing portions 1044, 1046 support respective bearings for rotatablysupporting the front and rear of the output shaft 1038. Although notshown, one or more seals (e.g., O-rings) may be positioned betweenadjacent portions of the multi-piece housing 1042 to inhibit leakage offluid through the interface between the respective housing portions1044, 1045, 1046.

The front housing portion 1044 includes first and second inlets 1050that are communicable with a source of fluid (e.g., insecticidecontained in the tank 748). Particularly, each of the inlets 1050 is athreaded bore to which a fluid fitting (not shown) is attached which, inturn, is connected to the supply line 790 (FIG. 14) to receive fluidtherefrom. With reference to FIG. 16, the front housing portion 1044includes an annular skirt 1062 extending therefrom, and first and secondpassageways 1066 through the skirt 1062 each having a first end 1070 influid communication with the respective first and second inlets 1050 ofthe front housing portion 1044. The first and second passageways 1066also each include a second end 1074 disposed proximate a rim 1078 on theskirt 1062 and facing radially outwardly. Each of the passageways 66 isoriented generally in the direction of a longitudinal axis 1082 of theoutput shaft 1038. As such, fluid passing through the passageways 1066passes along the output shaft 1038 in generally the same direction andis discharged from the second ends 1074 of the respective passageways1066 radially outwardly and substantially normal to the longitudinalaxis 1082.

In the illustrated construction of the rotary spray head assembly 1022,the skirt 1062 includes a diverging tapered shape relative to thelongitudinal axis 1082 of the output shaft 1038. In other words, theskirt 1062 flares or tapers radially outwardly as the skirt 1062 extendsfarther away from the front housing portion 1044 in the direction of thelongitudinal axis 1082. Alternatively, the skirt 1062 may include aconverging tapered shape or the skirt 1062 may be non-tapered (i.e.,straight or tubular).

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the first and second passageways1066 are formed in a common plane passing through the skirt 1062 and thelongitudinal axis 1082 of the output shaft 1038. In other words, theinlets 1050 and the respective passageways 1066 are positioned 180degrees opposite one another. Alternatively, the rotary spray headassembly 1022 may include only a single inlet 1050 and correspondingpassageway 1066, or more than two inlets 1050 and correspondingpassageways 1066. Furthermore, the rotary spray head assembly 1022 mayinclude only a single inlet 1050 and multiple passageways 1066 eachhaving a first end 1070 in fluid communication with the single inlet1050.

The rotary spray head assembly 1022 further includes a hub 1086 coupledfor co-rotation with the output shaft 1038 about the longitudinal axis1082. The hub 1086 includes an annular groove 1090 into which theannular skirt 1062 at least partially extends, a circumferentialinterior surface 1094 at least partially defining the groove 1090, andradially extending apertures 1098 through the circumferential interiorsurface 1094 (only two of which are shown in FIG. 16; see also FIG. 17).As will be described in more detail below, fluid introduced into theannular groove 1090 through the second ends 1074 of the respectivepassageways 1066 is discharged radially outwardly through the apertures1098.

The rotary spray head assembly 1022 also includes a porous sleeve 1102coupled to the hub 1086 and positioned radially outwardly of theapertures 1098 for atomizing the fluid discharged from the apertures1098 (FIGS. 16 and 17). In particular, the sleeve 1102 is made of apolymer (e.g., ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, high-densitypolyethylene, etc.) having pores with a nominal 10 micron diameter. Assuch, fluid passing through the sleeve 1102 as a result of centrifugalforce acting on the fluid is atomized to droplets having a nominal 10micron diameter. Alternatively, the droplets dispersed by the rotaryspray head assembly 1022 may have a nominal diameter between about 5microns and about 50 microns, depending upon the particular pore size ofthe sleeve 1102. As a further alternative, the sleeve 1102 may include adifferent pore size depending upon the fluid being used with the rotaryspray head assembly 1022 and the rotational speed of the hub 1086.

With continued reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, the hub 1086 includesinboard and outboard flanges 1106, 1110 between which the sleeve 1102 issecured. Particularly, the inboard flange 1106 is integrally formed withthe portion of the hub 1086 defining the annular groove 1090 and acentral mounting portion 1114 of the hub 1086, while the outboard flange1110 is coupled to the central mounting portion 1114 of the hub 1086using a left-handed threaded connection 1116 (FIG. 16). As such, thesleeve 1102 may be removed from the hub 1086 by unthreading the outboardflange 1110 from the central mounting portion 1114 of the hub 1086 toaccess the sleeve 1102. Each of the flanges 1106, 1110 includes a seriesof concentric circular ridges 1118 in contact with the sleeve 1102 toincrease the frictional force exerted on the sleeve 1102 to inhibitrelative rotation between the sleeve 1102 and the hub 1086.Alternatively, the ridges 1118 may be replaced with a knurled surface oneach of the flanges 1106, 1110.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the central mounting portion 1114of the hub 1086 includes an aperture 1120 through which the output shaft1038 extends. The aperture 1120 includes an internal tapered surface1121, and the output shaft 1038 includes an external, correspondingtapered surface 1123 to permit the hub 1086 to be press-fit to theoutput shaft 1038. A nut 1124 is threaded to a threaded portion 1125 ofthe output shaft 1038 to maintain the press-fit of the hub 1086 to theoutput shaft 1038. The hub 1086 may be removed from the output shaft1038 by removing the nut 1124 and using a pulling tool to separate thetapered surfaces 1121, 1123 of the hub 1086 and the output shaft 1038,respectively.

The hub 1086 includes an annular barrier wall 1122 at least partiallydefining the annular groove 1090. The barrier wall 1122 extends towardthe front housing portion 1044 and surrounds the output shaft 1038. Thecircumferential interior surface 1094 of the hub 1086 surrounds thebarrier wall 1122 and substantially defines the annular groove 1090 inconjunction with the barrier wall 1122. In other words, when the hub1086 is removed from the remainder of the rotary spray head assembly1022, the barrier wall 1122 and the circumferential interior surface1094 are in facing relationship with each other (FIG. 18). As shown inFIG. 16, the skirt 1062 and the barrier wall 1122 axially overlap suchthat a combination of the skirt 1062 and the barrier wall 1122 defines atortuous path between the annular grove 1090 and the output shaft 1038,thereby inhibiting fluid in the annular groove 1090 from migratingradially inwardly toward the output shaft 1038. As a result, the outputshaft 1038 is exposed to less fluid over the lifetime of the rotaryspray head assembly 1022, reducing the amount of fluid intrusion thatmight otherwise occur along the output shaft 1038 and into themulti-piece housing 1042, which includes electronic components thatfacilitate operation of the motor 1034.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the second ends 1074 of therespective passageways 1066 are in facing relationship with thecircumferential interior surface 1094 of the hub 1086. As such, inoperation of the rotary spray head assembly 1022, fluid is introduced tothe rotary spray head assembly 1022 through the inlets 1050 and issubsequently discharged from the second ends 1074 of the respectivepassageways 1066 against the circumferential interior surface 1094. Thehub 1086 is rotated by the motor 1034 at a high rate of speed (e.g.,30,000 revolutions per minute). Consequently, centrifugal force actingon the fluid causes it to spread out over the circumferential length ofthe interior surface 1094 and form a thin film over the circumferentialinterior surface 1094. Some of the fluid, however, may directly passthrough one or more of the apertures 1098 depending upon the position ofthe one or more apertures 1098 as they rotate past the second ends 1074of the respective passageways 1066. The fluid accumulated as the thinfilm is then flung radially outwardly through the apertures 1098 bycentrifugal force, where it impacts the interior of the porous sleeve1102. Centrifugal force continues to act on the fluid, causing it tomove through the pores in the sleeve 1102. The fluid is then dischargedfrom the porous sleeve 1102 in a radial direction, substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of the wind thrust 118 flowing around theassembly 1022, as atomized droplets into the discharge chute 738 fordispersion throughout the surroundings of the fluid sprayer 710.

Another embodiment of a rotary spray head assembly 1022 a is shown inFIG. 19, with like components being identified with like referencenumerals with the letter “a.” Rather than including radially extendingapertures such as those in the hub 1086, the hub 1086 a includesapertures 1098 a extending through the circumferential interior surface1094 a (only two of which are shown in FIG. 19; see also FIGS. 20 and22) that are canted or inclined relative to a plane containing thelongitudinal axis 1082 a (FIG. 19). Additionally, the apertures 1098 ainclude an oblong shape, with a major axis extending in a directionparallel with the longitudinal axis 1082 a.

With reference to FIG. 22, the rotary spray head assembly 1022 aincludes a plurality of intermediate apertures 1076 a through theannular skirt 1062 a and in fluid communication with the respectivepassageways 1066 a (FIG. 19). Accordingly, in operation of the rotaryspray head assembly 1022 a, fluid is discharged from the passageways1066 a both through the second ends 1074 a (and against the bottom ofthe annular groove 1090 a), and the intermediate apertures 1076 a (in aradial direction toward the apertures 1098 a).

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A fluid sprayer comprising: a first fluid tank operable tohold a first fluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide,adulticide, and a barrier repellant; a second fluid tank operable tohold a second fluid selected from the group consisting of larvicide,adulticide, and a barrier repellant; a pump positioned between a nozzleassembly and the first and second fluid tanks; a first valve switchablebetween a first position in which the pump receives the first fluid fromthe first fluid tank and a second position in which the pump receivesthe second fluid from the second fluid tank, wherein the nozzle assemblyatomizes the first fluid when the first valve is in the first position,and atomizes the second fluid when the first valve is in the secondposition; a second valve adjustable to regulate a pressure of the firstfluid discharged from the nozzle assembly when the first valve is in thefirst position, and configured to regulate a pressure of the secondfluid discharged from the nozzle assembly when the first valve is in thesecond position; a blower assembly positioned upstream of the nozzleassembly for dispersing the atomized fluid from the nozzle assembly; anda discharge chute positioned downstream of the blower assembly, whereinthe nozzle assembly is positioned within the discharge chute.
 2. Thefluid sprayer of claim 1, wherein the second valve is adjustable to afirst regulated pressure in response to the first valve being in thefirst position and to a second regulated pressure in response to thefirst valve being in the second position.
 3. The fluid sprayer of claim1, further comprising a low pressure line configured to deliver thefluid from the first valve to the pump and a high pressure lineconfigured to deliver the fluid from the pump to the nozzle assembly ata higher pressure than the fluid in the low pressure line.
 4. The fluidsprayer of claim 1, wherein the second valve includes an electricalactuator, and wherein the fluid sprayer further comprises a controllerin electrical communication with the electrical actuator and operable tovary the regulated fluid pressure by activating the electrical actuator.5. The fluid sprayer of claim 1, wherein, when the first valve is in thefirst position, the first fluid is sprayed into the discharge chutebefore being discharged upward from the discharge chute, and wherein,when the first valve is in the second position, the second fluid issprayed into the discharge chute before being discharged upward from thedischarge chute.
 6. The fluid sprayer of claim 5, wherein the nozzleassembly includes a plurality of discharge ports, each having adischarge axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction ofairflow exiting the discharge chute.
 7. The fluid sprayer of claim 6,wherein the discharge chute defines a central axis parallel with thedirection of airflow exiting the discharge chute, and wherein the nozzleassembly is coaxial with the central axis.
 8. The fluid sprayer of claim7, wherein the atomized fluid is discharged from the nozzle assembly ina radially outward direction away from the central axis.
 9. The fluidsprayer of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly is a rotary atomizer.